Boozman honors Russellville native WyattSPECIAL TO THE COURIER WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.) delivered a speech on the Senate floor Friday in honor of the service and sacrifice of Russellville native Staff Sgt. David Wyatt, a U.S. Marine who was shot and killed when a gunman attacked a military facility in Chattanooga, Tenn. Staff Sgt. Wyatt was laid to rest Friday at the Chattanooga National Cemetery. The following are Boozman’s remarks as prepared for delivery: “The...

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SPECIAL TO THE COURIERThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

Sims — MoodyMr. and Mrs. Phillip Sims of Russellville announce the engagement of their daughter Emilee Gwynn Sims to Jon Lucas Moody. Emilee graduated from Russellville High School in 2009 and Harding University in 2013. Lucas is the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Moody of DeValls Bluff. Lucas graduated from Des Arc High School in 2008 and then Arkansas State University in 2012. The couple will reside in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where Lucas attends the Louisiana...

News Briefs (July 26, 2015)Summer music camp this week The Arkansas Center for Music Education (ACME) is currently registering boys and girls ages 5-13 for summer music camp. The camp starts Monday and concludes Friday at the music center. For more information, call 479-264-9107. Blood drive Tuesday The Dardanelle community will host a blood donation event from 12:30-5 p.m. on Tuesday at the River Valley Medical Center at 200 North 3rd Street in Dardanelle. Anyone who i...

Standridge — GeorgeMichael and Melissa Standridge, of Dardanelle, are proud to announce the engagement of their daughter Brandy Lynn Standridge to Jon-Nathan George, son of Nathan and Jan George of Dardanelle. The grandparents of Brandy Lynn are Jim and Elaine Jones of Danville and the late Leon and Patsy Standridge of Delaware. Brandy Lynn graduated from Dardanelle High School, is currently attending Arkansas Tech University and works at the Tech Book Store. Th...

Community photo: Governor's mansion awardsThe Community Service Awards (CSA) ceremony was held June 12 at the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion. River Valley Log A Load For Kids Chairman Allen Farley, with Green Bay Packaging, received an individual award for his work with Log A Load For Kids. Since 1993, Log A Load For Kids has raised $7.46 million for Arkansas Children’s Hospital. The River Valley chapter has raised more than $623,000 since 2009. Pictured are River Valley Log A Load For K...

Entergy Community Power Scholarships awarded to Russellville High school studentsLITTLE ROCK – Two Russellville community-minded high schools students recently received Entergy Community Power Scholarships of $5,000 each for volunteerism and academic success. Entergy annually selects graduating seniors from families of employees for this honor. This year’s winners were Elizabeth Butler and Grant Gebhardt. Elizabeth Butler is the daughter of Patti and Paul Butler. Butler plans to attend the University of Arkansas majoring i...

Dover H.S. library receives grant from James Patterson and Scholastic Reading ClubDover High School has received a grant from bestselling author James Patterson to support its school library. In addition, Scholastic Reading Club will match each dollar of Patterson’s donation with “bonus points” that teachers can use to acquire books and other materials for their classrooms. Dover High School was selected from more than 28,000 applications for funding grants. In the first-ever partnership of its kind, Patterson joined forces...

Home is where the heart is: Russellville native finds her calling in AfricaNearly two years ago, Lauren Lubambula née Taylor embarked on a journey of the heart as she returned to Uganda to serve and minister to that country's street children. Lubambula, a Russellville native, first visited the East African country in 2012 when a two-month visit turned into a three-month stay working with a nonprofit faith-based organization that helps boys living on the streets of Uganda's capital city, Kampala. Although she returned...

Cuba missionaryThirty-three preachers and church leaders attended and 15 completed the class for credit. The seminar is one of 16 in a four year curriculum that leads to a Certificate of Christian Ministry. 90 students have completed seminars for credit since CBI was established in 2010. Leaders of 25 house churches reported average weekly attendance of 380 and 51 baptisms during the past three months, Dr. Ott taught "Marriage and Family Life" at Mid-South C...

RSD opts to save on election costs for uncontested racesThe Russellville School Board approved a resolution Tuesday to ask the Pope County Election Commission not to open polling places on Sept. 15, Election Day for school board races. This measure will allow the board to save money and conduct the election solely through absentee and early voting. The Russellville School District does not have any opposed races for this year's school board election. Also on Tuesday, the board approved a recommenda...

News Briefs (July 24, 2015)Nature activities Lake Dardanelle State Park (LDSP) will host a nature scavenger hunt at 10 a.m. on Aug. 1 at the LDSP Visitors Center. A Trail of Tears video will be shown at 3 p.m. in the Orientation Room. A Star Gazers Challenge will be at 9 p.m. in the parking lot by the Swim beach. Global village back to school challenge The Heifer Ranch will host a back to school event from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 10-15 at Heifer Ranch, 55 Heifer Road in P...

Church Briefs (July 24, 2015)‘To God Be the Glory’ on Sunday Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Pastor Rita Richardson will present her annual gospel piano recital at 3 p.m. Sunday, July 26. Richardson will perform unique arrangements of familiar spirituals, hymns, gospel and contemporary Christian music. The church is located at 224 S. Independence at the corner of West Second and South Independence. The recital is free and open to the public. A free will off...

City Corp. ends year $123,000 in blackCity Corp. General Manager Steve Mallett told the water and sewer utility’s Board of Directors during Tuesday’s regular meeting that it ended its fiscal year (June 30-July 1) with $123,000 higher net income than budgeted. Since the utility was $4,000 over in expenses, Mallett pointed out City Corp. was able to absorb higher costs, including water treatment plant repairs, and still achieved quite an accomplishment to come out $123,000 in the bl...

‘We got more than we gave’DARDANELLE — The power of a flower is unreal. Of course Dana Edwards, owner of Love’s Floral Shop on Quay Street in Dardanelle, believes in the above statement. She lives in on a daily basis. Another part of her career is donating flowers. She said she doesn’t like the recognition and doesn’t like to brag. Thursday, however, was a little different. Edwards and her helpers at Love’s Floral Shop hope they started a new tradition with their first...

Community photo: Wildlife forever honorable mention S. C. Tucker Elementary of Danville had three young artists acknowledged in the Wildlife Forever State-Fish Art Contest sponsored by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. Second grader Noah Green received an Honorable Mention Certificate for his entry of the Northern Pike of Minnesota. These artworks were completed by students independently and in addition to their regular art projects in Diane Gosnell’s Art Class.

Local man drives away with third placeDon Decan (left) of Russellville recently competed in the Missouri Truck Driving Championship (MTDC) on June 12 and 13 in Joplin, Mo. Decan and his three team members competed in the Sleeper Class and Five Axle Class divisions which had 51 other drivers competing in them as well. Overall, the MTDC had 192 drivers competing in 9 class divisions. The MTDC consisted of contestants driving trucks on a state regulated competition driving course wit...

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FOR THE COURIER / SubmittedThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

Construction on 400-foot runway extension beginsDirector Keith Frazier told the Russellville Regional Airport Commission during Wednesday’s regular meeting that construction work started on the runway extension project this week. The 400-foot runway extension to the east will be funded through a 90/10 matching grant, with the Arkansas Department of Aeronautics to pay 90 percent of the $555,000 and the city responsible for 10 percent. Bob Chatman of Miller Newell Engineering told commissione...

Sunset Cinema’s final showing to play Disney filmFOR THE COURIER The Russellville Area Chamber of Commerce (RACC) will show Disney’s “Planes: Fire and Rescue” on Friday as the final Sunset Cinema feature presentation for 2015. Sponsor activities including games, a visit from local emergency vehicles, bump and jumps, and snacks beginning at 6:30 p.m. and the movie following shortly after sundown. In the case of inclement weather, the movie and activities will be moved into the L.V. Williamson...